[Maro_89]

Hey guys I’m looking into either a 5th gen Z28 or 6th gen ZL1. I’m interested in the Z28 but that ZL1 is pretty nice looking and tempting since I’ve seen some prices that are only a few grand more than the Z28. I know that they are both completely different cars in a way but I’m not sure which I would like in the long run. I can only go by first impressions when I saw and drove them both a while ago on different occasions. They both look awesome in their ways. I love the rawness and muscle car look of the Z28 and that it is rare and the ZL1 looks pretty nice and refined as well as the interior. I would use either one as a daily and I don’t mind the limited interior features in the Z28 because I’m more into enjoying how the car drives and I’m fine with how it rides on the street since it didn’t feel all that harsh to me.

What gets me is the ZL1 has 650 HP and I’m attracted to that kind of power versus the 505 in the Z28. I’m not sure if the ZL1 is a raw driving car like the Z28 though, but perhaps I guess I could always mod the Z28 to be faster if I wanted too. I have never added performance mods to a car so that would be a whole new experience for me and I’m not sure if it’s worth doing so or save up the extra money that would have been used for performance mods to go into the Z28 towards the ZL1 since it’s faster out of the box. I wonder if any of you have previously owned a Z28 before you got your ZL1 or if you have both and could fill me in on your thoughts and opinions. I know it would be my decision at the end of the day but would love to hear what you guys would say. Thank you all in advance!

[Joshinator99]

They’re both great, BUT, I’d say ZL1 because the Alpha chassis is just that damn good.

[Markoz28]

6th gen ZL1 without a doubt. It’ll run circles around the Z28 in every category. Track, 1/4mile, looks, comfort... Everything!

[Can'tHave2MuchHP]

I love the Z28. Everything about it. LS7, the looks, the wheels, the handling, the feel, the badass factor.

Get the ZL1.

[HoodCheck]

Z/28 all day long. I had a '15 Z/28, have a '17 ZL1, and forget the ZL1...on all fronts. For me, the Z/28 wins by far in looks, comfort (I found it WAY more comfortable than the ZL1), the feel of the drive, the handling, everything with the single exception of the ZL1 (non-ZLE) allows you to get over those big ass speed humps in the road without going at a steep angle and speed bumps (or really bumpy roads) aren't felt *quite* as much (honestly though, it really isn't much of a difference at all). All in all though, I wouldn't want to do a 1-2 hr drive in the ZL1, at all, but I loved those drives in the Z/28. I don't know how people find the ZL1 comfortable honestly, the seat can't even sit back far enough to get comfortable imo.

On the other front, one is a rare car you literally never see on the road, the other is a dime a dozen camaro by comparison. There were more ZL1s built even in the pilot year (2012) than were ever built of the Z/28, and tens of thousands of them since then in both 5th and 6th gen (6th gen ZL1 alone has 12646 from 2017-2019, compared to 1801 Z/28s in 2014-2015 combined).
If you care about the stock power, or want auto, or want fancy amenities you'll likely not use anyways, then the ZL1 is likely your best bet. If you like to feel like you're part of the road, the Z/28 (the 6th gen ZLE I'm sure will achieve that same feeling though if you can tolerate the looks of the stupid aero package on it), or of course, if you like the rarity factor, then its a no brainer on that front.

All in all though, its up to your tastes.

I will say though; I upgraded my Z/28 and completely regretted doing it. I added something like 120whp, but lost the "natural" feel of the car, the originality, and adds too much complexity imo. So, you can upgrade the shit out of it, yes, but tbh, you'll probably still fall short on the torque at the wheels vs the ZL1. The next one I buy will stay stock.

[Fast02Z06]

Or get both and a C7Z like me 😉. My Z/28 is heads cam, bolt on’s. Zl1 is stock and I prefer the Zl1 over the Z/28. I like the comfort, nav, and ride overall. Both are head turners

[Stephen12ZL1]

I've owned both and much prefer the 6th gen ZL1. Z/28 is raw but needs HP. The Z/28 handling is amazing and the CCB brakes are awesome! Ride quality of the ZL1 is MUCH better.

[2SS Capt]

6th Gen, no doubt... Alpha platform...

[Vigilante375]

I say ZL1 over the Z/28. It's better all around.

Some of you saying the Z/28 over the ZL1 because of it's handling and drive then I'd say get the ZL1 1LE. That way you're comparing an extreme, raw track car to an "extreme, raw" track car.

[LT4Greg]

Either one is a good choice but I’m partial to a ZL1. In my opinion the ZL1 1LE would be a consideration if you are looking for a track ready car but I do like the 5th gen Z28 especially that big 427 LS7.

[minn19]

I get it if you want the N/A stripped down experience. But the ZL1 1LE is so far ahead in every way.

I think one needs to be very dedicated to having/wanting a car a certain way for them to choose the Z/28 in this scenario. But, that is fine and choices are a good thing.

[ZED SLED]

Originally Posted by HoodCheck

Z/28 all day long. I had a '15 Z/28, have a '17 ZL1, and forget the ZL1...on all fronts. For me, the Z/28 wins by far in looks, comfort (I found it WAY more comfortable than the ZL1), the feel of the drive, the handling, everything with the single exception of the ZL1 (non-ZLE) allows you to get over those big ass speed humps in the road without going at a steep angle and speed bumps (or really bumpy roads) aren't felt *quite* as much (honestly though, it really isn't much of a difference at all). All in all though, I wouldn't want to do a 1-2 hr drive in the ZL1, at all, but I loved those drives in the Z/28. I don't know how people find the ZL1 comfortable honestly, the seat can't even sit back far enough to get comfortable imo.

On the other front, one is a rare car you literally never see on the road, the other is a dime a dozen camaro by comparison. There were more ZL1s built even in the pilot year (2012) than were ever built of the Z/28, and tens of thousands of them since then in both 5th and 6th gen (6th gen ZL1 alone has 12646 from 2017-2019, compared to 1801 Z/28s in 2014-2015 combined).
If you care about the stock power, or want auto, or want fancy amenities you'll likely not use anyways, then the ZL1 is likely your best bet. If you like to feel like you're part of the road, the Z/28 (the 6th gen ZLE I'm sure will achieve that same feeling though if you can tolerate the looks of the stupid aero package on it), or of course, if you like the rarity factor, then its a no brainer on that front.

All in all though, its up to your tastes.

I will say though; I upgraded my Z/28 and completely regretted doing it. I added something like 120whp, but lost the "natural" feel of the car, the originality, and adds too much complexity imo. So, you can upgrade the shit out of it, yes, but tbh, you'll probably still fall short on the torque at the wheels vs the ZL1. The next one I buy will stay stock.

Are you sure you don't have the cars reversed?

[kropscamaro16]

my buddy has a fully built 1le ss and a z28 and he said the 1le/6th gen is easier to drive on track and the z28 is just more of a brute force mans mans car lol if that makes sense

[SFV1LE]

Seems like the question is really 6th Gen ZL1 1LE vs Z28, or 5th Gen ZL1 vs 6th Gen ZL1.

In either case the 6th Gen ZL1 or 1LE are superior in many ways. If you're choosing between Z28 and ZL1 for track (because track IS the reason for the Z28 existence), you should of course get a ZL1 1LE, it is a clearly superior track car vs. Z28.

If this is about street driving and looks, please ignore my comments.